‘Tuong’ (classical drama) is one of traditional art forms of Viet Nam, and it has been recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

In particular, Tuong artistes have to do their make up before appearing on stage to thrill audience with their faces and amazing performances. Depending on their characters, the artists’ faces are drawn with a thick layer of red, white or black powder that looks like masks. Such masks describe the personalities of characters in Tuong extracts.

DA NANG Today would like to introduce our readers some Tuong masks through several nice photos below, taken by our freelance reporter Mai Quang Hien.

Some Tuong artistes drawing the masks for themselves before appearing on stage. It often takes them around one hour to do this work.

In addition to their fascinating voice, the harmony of facial make-up and costumes plays the most important role in building an impressive image of a character.

The face of a powerful mandarin in the ‘Lam Trong Hoang Tho Nan’ Tuong extract

Artistes from the city-based Nguyen Hien Dinh Tuong Theatre introducing some typical characters in Tuong to pupils in Hai Chau District on 24 March